Our dates are made fresh and ship Monday through Wednesday via 2-day shipping, so you can expect them at your door within a few days of placing your order. That said, once a package is with a carrier (UPS, FedEx, USPS), delays happen and we can't control them. We'll always send tracking so you can follow along.
To protect your order against carrier delays, damage (including melting), or loss, we highly recommend adding Corso Shipping Protection at checkout. It's usually around $2 (or under 3% of your order) and means that if something goes sideways in transit, Corso handles the fix fast. Totally worth it, especially for gifts.
Where can I buy Gato Dates in person?
We have a growing list of retail partners carrying our dates. Check our store locatorto find a location near you.
Do you offer international shipping?
Not yet! We're domestic-only for now. Stay tuned.
The chocolate looks a little off. Is it still good?
Most likely, yes. Chocolate on fresh Medjool dates can discolor due to the date's natural moisture content. This is called "bloom" and is harmless. It doesn't affect flavor, and the dates are still 100% fresh. Bloom is not grounds for a return or exchange, but if something looks genuinely wrong (not just cosmetically different), email us at hello@gatodates.com and we'll take a look.
My order arrived melted or damaged. What happens now?
First: put those dates straight in the fridge.
If you added Corso Shipping Protection at checkout, file your claim directly here and their team will be in touch within 24 hours with a resolution (replacement, refund, their call). They're set up to handle this faster than we can.
If you didn't add Corso, email us at hello@gatodates.com with your order number and a photo, and we'll figure it out. We can't control summer heatwaves or carrier delays, but we do care about your experience and will do our best to make it right.
What is Corso Shipping Protection?
Corso is a third-party shipping protection service you can opt into at checkout for a small fee (usually around $2). It covers lost, stolen, damaged, and melted orders. If any of those things happen, you file a claim directly with Corso and they handle the resolution quickly. We recommend it especially during warm months or for gift orders where arrival condition really matters.
Can I return or exchange my order?
Because our dates are perishable and made fresh, we don't offer returns, exchanges, or refunds unless we made a mistake on our end (wrong item, damaged in a way that's clearly our fault, etc.). Please double-check your shipping address at checkout, since we can't reroute orders once they've shipped.
If something is off, reach out. We're a small team, and we genuinely want to make it right.
How does your subscription work? Can I cancel?
Subscribers get our dates on a recurring schedule and are locked in for the first two shipments so we can guarantee your allocation. After that, you can cancel anytime through your customer portal.
Are your dates organic and kosher?
Yes on both counts. Our dates are certified organic and kosher certified, so you know exactly what you're getting. Just dates, chocolate, and whatever magic we stuff them with.
